Benito Guindon’s eyes are twinkling as he canters down the hillside on wooden stilts. “For years, I used to go around on these things. Seventeen miles sometimes, all at a stretch.” His bushy beard barely hides a boyish grin. From the sureness of his pace, some two feet off the ground, even a marathon would […]
“Hwee!” hollered my carreta driver, swatting at the ox team’s rumps to spur them on. Then, when we arrived at our destination: “Haysa!” (“Stop!”) These and a dozen other words are integral to the ox driver’s lexicon, and as I rode through Costa Rica’s coffee country, I was learning fast. But the driver’s slang wasn’t […]
The nighttime jungle cacophony blended with the sound of the Caribbean surf, forming an exotic symphony. A full moon peeked through a gap in the clouds and the jungle went quiet for a moment. Outside my room, the river estuary was home to howler monkeys, caiman, green iguanas, tree frogs, parakeets and macaws. All these […]
Victor Chavarria Venegas is typical of Pura Vida artists. He says, “My art is from my heart, and my heart is from Costa Rica.” His colorful and realistic acrylic and oil paintings depict animals, birds, frogs and reptiles in their habitats. Venegas’s roadside studio and gallery outside of Jaco is a work of art in […]
The ride through the highlands was spectacular. From the high plateau we descended a series of switchbacks down into the valley. The scene could have been the Appalachians or the Mediterranean Alps, except the valley floor was tropical with farms, fields, and forests. It is a couple of hours by bus from San Jose to […]
While pouring a coffee for my Costa Rican friend, Oscar, I strain to identify a rhythmic croaking noise coming from somewhere inside my hotel room. It sounds like a tiny ratchet wrench. “Gecko,” says Oscar, helpfully. “It is good luck. If there is no gecko, ask for a different room.” He explains that a Gecko-free […]
People usually try to avoid traveling during the rainy season. You have to carry more gear. It isn’t as pleasant to go on walks, and there are some activities you may not be able to do. And, let’s face it, most people like to see vacation photos from sunny days. However, there are some good reasons to make […]
I recently returned from a wonderful family and working vacation to Costa Rica. We visited Arenal Volcano, Sarapiqui, and San Jose, and had a great time. Highlights of the trip include whitewater rafting on Rio Sarapiqui, horseback riding with Wilson in Chilamate, and the Tirimbina chocolate tour. I have uploaded two photo albums and numerous videos to our Facebook […]
We recently added the following four Best of Costa Rica Tours to our website: Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio 8 D/7 N Tortuguero, Arenal, and Monteverde 8 D/7 N Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio 10 D/9 N Corcovado, Arenal, and Monteverde 10 D/9 N With high season (Dec-Mar) fast approaching, now is a good […]
